Sundays Well

Near top of cliff-face, overlooking Fermoyle River to E. Circular well with dry-stone walling surround and corbelled roof; rough paving to front; statues and votive offerings around well. Two stones atop roof; larger stone (H 0.12m; Wth 0.12m) inscribed '1840' on back, 'BVM' and 'IHS' on front and cross inscribed by pilgrims on top; smaller stone (H 0.1m; Wth 0.1m) inscribed 'IHS' and 'BVM' on front, 'IHS' on top and 'BVM' on back. Low 'table' of flat flagstone resting on two low uprights c. 3m to E, where mass was said in penal times (Eldridge 1996, 76); numerous crosses inscribed on flag, many initials and 'P J Cremin 1934'. Visited Sundays and Good Friday, according to local information. Grove White (1905-25, vol. 2, 224) was told it was 'frequented on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for sickness of all kinds' and that a mason who had recovered his sight at the well did 'all the mason work'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Images provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

Linked to Saint Sunday, an early Irish Christian saint, the well is traditionally associated with healing and protection. Local folklore suggests that the well was visited for cures, particularly for eye ailments, and that the two stones on the roof may represent offerings or symbolic markers of ancient ritual practice.